Experiment Results.

I'm no stranger to compiling lists, nor am I very good at adhering to them. Earlier this morning I decided to conduct a little experiment in order to force myself to follow through on a couple tasks I had procrastinated on. By posting my list online I hoped to introduce some accountability into the equation; my intention was to get out there and accomplish these things rather than staying home and watching the Cubs game (which I've been known to do). I am happy to report that this experiment was a success.

Visual research for new designs.
I started my day by riding the El into the Loop to visit Chicago's Harold Washington Library to conduct my research. I spent about two hours flipping through books on various military themes and propaganda. I ended up checking out the following books:

• "The Illustrated Directory of Modern Soviet Weapons" edited by Ray Bonds (1986)

• "Merchants of Fear : Why They Want Us to be Afraid" by Christopher Catherwood and Joe DiVanna (2008)
• "War Posters : Weapons of Mass Communication"by James Aulich (2007).
  

Additionally, I put in a request for "Soviet Posters : the Sergo Grigorian Collection" by Maria Lafont (2007), and, on a side note, I am picking up a copy of "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running : A Memoir" by Haruki Murakami (2008). I think this material will provide a good balance of mental and visual stimulus as I develop ideas for my work.

Begin work on a new painting from the Nuclear Winter Series.
I was recently awarded a C.A.A.P. Grant by the City of Chicago to create my current series of paintings titled "Nuclear Winter". This body of work focuses on the relationship between sexual repression and the glorification of the military within Western culture. At this stage of the series, my most recent paintings are primarily about building up tension and establishing a climate of fear in order to drive conflict. The painting I began working on is the fifth painting out of the proposed ten paintings I am completing for this project. I have included some in process snap shots so you can see my progress.

Here's a shot of the painting a few hours later after I went at it for a while. These initial layers were all done using acrylic paint. I have not decided if I am going to use oils on this painting.

Develop Small Studies.
As for this goal, I printed a couple of design frameworks that I put together in Photoshop. I then made a run to Kinkos and engaged in some photocopy madness. The copies are an important part of my sketching process, and I often cut them up and rearrange them before I begin transferring them to small canvases via gel-medium transfers. Since that process takes some time I really don't have anything more to show you at the moment. Check back in the near future when I am certain to have further updates.